North Atlantic right whales were redetected near Ocean City, Maryland, this month. Now, boaters are being asked to slow down until March.

The Ocean City buoy operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science redetected the presence of right whales east of Ocean City on Feb. 18.

As a result, the right whale Slow Zone is in effect through March 5. Whales can also be tracked via the Whale Alert app .

Voluntary right whale 'Slow Zone' areas

In addition to the Slow Zone east of Ocean City, more Slow Zones are also currently in effect: southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey; east of Virginia Beach, Virginia; northeast of Virginia Beach #1; northeast of Virginia Beach #2; southeast of New York; southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts; east of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside the following Dynamic Management Areas and Acoustic Slow Zones, where right whales have been detected. Please visit the NOAA Fisheries website for more information regarding Slow Zones and calving and nursery grounds.

East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective Feb. 18-March 5, 2025

Active Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs)

How often are right whales spotted near Ocean City, MD?

North Atlantic right whales are no stranger to Ocean City, Md., especially during their winter migration. Yet, once the summer season rolls around, sightings become less common.

To report a right whale sighting from Virginia to Maine, or a dead, injured or entangled whale, contact NOAA Fisheries at (866) 755-6622 or the Coast Guard on marine VHF channel 16.

Are right whales an endangered species?

The North Atlantic right whale, referred to by their scientific name as Eubalaena glacialis, is one the world's most endangered species of large whale, Delmarva Now previously reported.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has reported that the North Atlantic right whales have been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1970. There are about 370 individuals remaining, including fewer than 70 reproductively active females.

North Atlantic right whales live in Atlantic coastal waters on the continental shelf, yet are known to travel far offshore, over deep water, and up to 1,000 miles during migration the NOAA stated.

Humans are considered the greatest threat to this species, through impacts such as vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglement and more. NOAA Fisheries has designated two areas as critical habitat for North Atlantic right whales , which provide important feeding, nursery, and calving habitat.